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Borac math competition books and website? any reviews?


wapiti
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How did I not notice these before.  Thanks to Kiana for posting this in another thread.  (um, that would be Amazon thanking you, actually.)  Has anyone used these?  http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00DXHDM2A

 

The author apparently even has on-line classes(!) http://www.goodsofthemind.com/index.html

 

and on-line problem-solving practice!! http://www.mathinee.com/#latest

 

From Amazon:

 

About “Competitive Mathematics for Gifted Students†This series provides practice materials and short theory reminders for students who aim to excel at problem solving. Material is introduced in a structured manner: each new concept is followed by a problem set that explores the content in detail. Each book ends with a problem set that reviews both concepts presented in the current volume and related topics from previous volumes. The series forms a learning continuum that explores strategies specific to competitive mathematics in depth and breadth. Full solutions explain both reasoning and execution. Often, several solutions are contrasted. The problem selection emphasizes comprehension, critical thinking, observation, and avoiding repetitive and mechanical procedures. Ready to participate in a math competition such as MOEMS, Math Kangaroo in USA, or Noetic Math? This series will open the doors to consistent performance.

 

 

 

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I also posted about it on this board. For level one students, the second edition of the books combines everything into one volume. Here: http://www.amazon.com/Competitive-Mathematics-Gifted-Students-Level/dp/0692240071/ref=la_B00DXHDM2A_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1410543245&sr=1-1

 

We're just starting, so no feedback yet.

 

 

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I adore level I. It's everything that's good and right in math. My DS sees the "green books" and lights up, where he sees the SM books (even the IP) and sighs, "That's the BORING math." He isn't advanced enough yet for the online Mathinee, but I do have a login and I've liked what I've seen. With the level I books over the past year or so we've done combination/permutation problems, solved multivariate equations with block models, and he simply adores the word problems that require comprehension rather than just picking up on "key words" in the question. 

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www.amazon.com/Practice-Combinatorics-Competitive-Mathematics-Students/dp/0692244905/ref=pd_sim_b_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=02PNHHAKV41VD883CYP4

 

That's what I bought a few months ago but never used as we were still in AOPS online Pre-A and trying to get that done first.

 

What I am really interested in is in the online class. Is that really correct $250 for 25 lessons? I'm going to ask if DD can still enroll, but it's going to be a tough day as we have two other online classes that day.

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Any idea how to know what level to start at with these books? I hate things that are grouped by age - that doesn't tell me about math level.

The description on Amazon of the level indicates what math skills the student should have. I guess we'll see how accurate that is - I ordered a couple.

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I am leaning toward trying the Level 2 combinatorics book, but for a silly reason.  My daughter likes to watch the TV show "Numbers".  There is a female mathematician character who is supposed to be an expert in combinatorics.  I think dd will think that it is cool to have it for that reason alone. (Should I be concerned that I don't even know what it is? :huh: Engineering major here - not math major!)

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I am leaning toward trying the Level 2 combinatorics book, but for a silly reason.  My daughter likes to watch the TV show "Numbers".  There is a female mathematician character who is supposed to be an expert in combinatorics.  I think dd will think that it is cool to have it for that reason alone. (Should I be concerned that I don't even know what it is? :huh: Engineering major here - not math major!)

 

Combinatorics is most simply the mathematics of counting. For example, the problems like 'Alice, Bob, Chuck, and Dana go out for ice cream. How many different ways could they line up for cones? If there are waffle cones and regular cones and the ice cream comes in 5 flavors with 3 toppings, how many different kinds of cones could be made?' are beginning problems in combinatorics. 

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Are the classes just Sept to March or do they have a second semester course too? It may be good for ds7 next year if he still isn't get challenge at school. And 5.40 pm PT is during his lunch hour in NZ.

Cleo Borac is very responsive to emails. I emailed her to see whether it was too late to register.

 

I may not do it this year.

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Are the classes just Sept to March or do they have a second semester course too? It may be good for ds7 next year if he still isn't get challenge at school. And 5.40 pm PT is during his lunch hour in NZ.

Yes, one hour each week from Sept to March except holidays. Problems in the class are challenging. My ds has been learning a lot. He is learning "note taking" as well.

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I have the edition that is the Combo 4 in 1 volume for ages 7-9. My child is 6 and I thought that it might be OK to start with this level. This book enforces my son to go slow and be thoughtful. The problems are not technically challenging for him yet, but the challenge is in comprehending what the question means and to come up with the correct answer. He finds that part intellectually stimulating (spoiler alert: 7 frogs are sitting on lily pads, a vulture swoops in and grabs a frog. How many frogs are sitting on lily pads now? Ans: None because all the rest ran away! - it was funny to see that he got that one right. )

 

We are going slow - attempting 5 problems in one session because we are in no hurry.

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I like the one, if the pitcher capacity is 8 cups and there are 3 cups of water in the bottom and you pour in 7 cups of orange juice how much orangeade will you have.

 

Yes! Last week in public school there was a word problem that said something like "Arielle had 7 marbles, Julia had 4 more marbles than Arielle, how many marbles did they have all together?" The teacher just added the 7 and the 4. DS had to pipe up and correct her, and while explaining this, he told me, "You know the problem in the green book? With the orangeade? That's how I knew that sometimes you have to read the words and not just add the numbers!" LOL.

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